I’ve been licensed in the nail industry for seven years now. As a non-perfect human, I have struggled with burnout. Burnout has been described as the physical or mental collapse caused by overwork or stress. Here are four tips that I find can help with burnout in the nail industry.
Log in to view the full article
Nail technician Isabelle Calhoun (@naileditbyisabelle) shares four tips for helping to beat burnout.
I’ve been licensed in the nail industry for seven years now. As a non-perfect human, I have struggled with burnout. Burnout has been described as the physical or mental collapse caused by overwork or stress. Here are four tips that I find can help with burnout in the nail industry.
1. Switch Up Your Routine.
After five years at the same salon, I felt like I was just stuck in the same old routine day in and day out, seeing and providing services for my clients. Nothing fun or exciting seemed to be happening, and there was nothing to look forward to. Something needed to change, so I switched up my routine. Try switching up your routine with the following small actions.
- Start by ‘pampering’ yourself by getting morning coffee.
- Take a scheduled lunch break.
- Put on a full face of makeup, and pick out a cute outfit you are comfortable in.
- Schedule a day off for you time.
It’s the little things that make you feel better about yourself and switch up your day-to-day routine.
2. Take Vacations and Time Off.
On an average 10 a.m. - 7 p.m. day, I would complete about 10-13 services. I was young, just starting out in the industry and didn’t know how to manage time properly. Providing services scheduled back-to-back caused a great deal of stress and the start of my burnout. Today, I’d go back and tell my younger self that it’s okay to take scheduled breaks, take vacations, turn down appointments and not work every Saturday to survive. You can schedule your clients at your own pace and not have to rush them in and out. My advice for you is to take your time, get to know your clients, give 110% and thrive at what you love to do. It takes time and patience to give the best possible service for your clients.
3. Set Boundaries.
Setting boundaries sounds easy but can actually be harder than you think. I have learned that you will not get along with everyone. You attract the type of clientele you want. Not all of your clients will be your best friend. I haven’t accepted many Facebook requests nor give out my personal phone number. I only do this with those that will respect my time and friendship and not constantly text to see if I have an opening or cancellation. Try creating business hours for answering social media and booking questions, set cancellations and no-show policies and have a non-refundable deposit in place for clients to get onto your books. Doing these few things lets you realize your worth and that it’s an honor for a client to sit in your chair. As a nail tech, you have to recognize when it’s time to set boundaries for yourself, clients and even at the salon.
4. Salon Environment.
The salon environment can depict how you act and feel towards your career, coworkers and clientele. I had to quit the salon I was at for five years. I needed more. I wanted to take classes, expand my knowledge and grow more as a person and nail technician. I needed an environment that was willing to push and pursue the same education I was striving for. After leaving, my mental health and burnout started to heal itself. I was in a new environment and loving it. While you’re still in beauty school, try interning/shadowing at your ‘dream salon’ to check out the environment, how they run things and see if you like the overall vibe. It’s like a test run to see if you’d like the salon. I bounce off other people’s energy, so it’s important to be in a salon environment you will thrive in.
You Are Worth It!
In the beauty industry, everyone struggles with some form of burnout, but these tips can help you succeed for years to come. Remember to put yourself first, always. If we respect and support one another instead of tearing each other down, it can save you from the mental drainage and prevent burnout from happening quicker.
Continue to educate, expand your knowledge, take time for yourself, set boundaries and make sure you enjoy the environment you’re working in. You are worth every minute of time and money!
About the Author:
Isabelle Calhoun is owner of Nailed.It. She has been a licensed cosmetologist for seven years. She specializes in handpainted nail art, e-file cuticle care and so much more.
